On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate passed a significant amendment to the Electoral Act that allows for electronic transmission of election results while keeping manual collation as a fallback option. This decision was reached following a tense parliamentary session marked by intense debates, where 15 senators opposed the retention of the manual backup clause in Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026. A significant division occurred with 55 senators supporting the retention of the controversial clause, illustrating the contentious nature of this legislative change.

The process for passing this bill has been tumultuous, as the Senate had to previously rescind its initial decision on the bill due to concerns regarding inconsistencies in various clauses and the proximity of the 2027 general elections, which were recently announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The discussions during this session were primarily focused on the implications of the manual backup, which some lawmakers argue undermines the integrity of electronic transmission and could lead to potential electoral malpractice.

As the Senate moves forward with the approval of this provision, it reflects a significant step in Nigeria's electoral reforms, aiming to enhance the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. However, the debate surrounding Clause 60 indicates that there are still deep divisions within the legislative body regarding how best to implement these technologies in the electoral process, which could have lasting implications for future elections in Nigeria.